A day old chick. Image credit 21food.com

A day old chick. Image credit 21food.com

ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: Growth and Development in Animals.

  • Animals use some of the energy from the food they eat to grow.
  • During the growth process an animal changes and matures into an adult.
  • This process is also known as development.
  • All animals need a wide range of foods in order for them to develop normally.
  • Food that is given to livestock animals known as rations.
  • The ration which an animal eats need to be balanced i.e.,
  • they should contain all the food groups, vitamins and mineral required for healthy growth.
  • As animals grow they need different amounts of each food group.
  • The quality of food is more important that the quantity of food.
  • It would be a waste to provide an animal with large amounts of food of the wrong kind.
  • With farm animals that are grown for profit this actually results in unnecessary and avoidable losses.
  • Good quality food contains all the necessary food groups.
Food typeFunction
Carbohydrates and lips (fats)For energy
ProteinsFor growth and repair
Vitamins and MineralsFor health and protection against disease

To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page.